State salary and training guide
Medical Assistant Salary and Career Path in Texas (2026)
Texas employs the second-most medical assistants in the verified Phase 1 set, with strong demand across Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, border communities, rural clinics, and large health systems. No state income tax can improve real take-home comparisons for some workers.
Key Stats for medical assistants in Texas
- National median salary: $44,200/year (BLS OOH 2024)
- Texas mean wage: $38,870/year (BLS OEWS May 2023) — State OEWS rows publish mean wages, not state medians.
- TX employment estimate: 66,720 (BLS OEWS May 2023)
- TX location quotient: 0.98 (BLS OEWS May 2023)
- TX hourly mean: $18.69/hr (BLS OEWS May 2023)
- Entry-level timeline: 9–12 months (Certification-program estimate)
Salary figures are for all workers in the occupation, not entry-level pay. Entry-level salaries typically start lower, and local employer requirements vary.
What medical assistants do in Texas
Texas employs the second-most medical assistants in the verified Phase 1 set, with strong demand across Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, border communities, rural clinics, and large health systems. No state income tax can improve real take-home comparisons for some workers.
In Texas, medical assistants usually blend clinical support with administrative tasks: taking vitals, preparing exam rooms, updating EHR notes, coordinating appointments, and helping patients navigate care. Credential preferences vary by employer, but CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), and CCMA (NHA) are common certification names to understand.
- Large metros: DFW, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin support hospital, clinic, urgent-care, and specialty roles.
- Border health: Spanish-English bilingual skills can matter in El Paso, McAllen, Laredo, and other border markets.
- Rural access: Community health centers and shortage areas can create broader MA responsibilities.
Start with the Medical Assistant career guide.
Medical Assistant Salary Breakdown in Texas
Texas's verified BLS OEWS row reports a mean annual wage of $38,870 and employment of 66,720 for SOC 31-9092. Use that as a market benchmark, not a promise of pay.
The national BLS OOH median for medical assistants is $44,200/year or $21.25/hour for May 2024. State pages keep that national median separate from May 2023 state mean wage rows.
| Area | Mean Annual Wage | Employment Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas statewide | $38,870 | 66,720 | BLS OEWS May 2023 state mean wage. |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $40,560 | 17,280 | Largest Texas metro MA market in the verified data. |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $40,670 | 15,820 | Large hospital-system and specialty-care market. |
How to become a Medical Assistant in Texas
- Learn clinical and administrative foundations
Start with anatomy terms, infection control, vitals, injections, EHR workflow, appointment scheduling, and patient communication.
- Compare CMA, RMA, and CCMA certification routes
Employers may prefer CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), or CCMA (NHA), but credential requirements vary by workplace and state.
- Practice patient-facing communication
Texas employers often value clear documentation, bilingual communication where relevant, and calm clinical support in busy outpatient settings.
- Use the role as a healthcare entry point
Medical assisting can be a direct career path or a bridge toward nursing, health information, billing, coding, or specialty clinic roles.
Top employer settings in Texas
- Primary-care and specialty clinics
- Urgent-care centers and outpatient networks
- Hospitals and integrated health systems
- Community health centers and private practices
Start your Medical Assistant training path
Course links
- Medical Assistant Certification Prep — Part 1 — Certification-oriented foundation for CMA, RMA, and CCMA pathways ($49)
- AI for Medical Coders — Healthcare workflow and documentation literacy in AI-assisted settings ($69)
- CPT Coding: Basic Principles — Billing and coding context useful for front-office medical assistant roles ($49)
- Explore Medical Assistant courses — See training options mapped to the medical assistant path
Related guides
- MA vs CNA comparison — Compare medical assistant and CNA work before choosing a path.
- Best healthcare certifications — Review beginner healthcare credentials and AI-resilient roles.
- Medical assistant salary guide — See the national medical assistant salary guide and 50-state table.
Compare medical assistant salary in other states
- Compare to California — Medical Assistant salary and training context in California
- Compare to Florida — Medical Assistant salary and training context in Florida
- Compare to New York — Medical Assistant salary and training context in New York
- Compare to Pennsylvania — Medical Assistant salary and training context in Pennsylvania
Frequently asked questions
How much do medical assistants make in Texas?
BLS OEWS May 2023 reports a Texas mean wage of $38,870 per year for medical assistants. This is a mean wage for all workers, not promised entry-level pay.
Which certifications matter for medical assistants in Texas?
CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), and CCMA (NHA) are common medical assistant credentials. Employers decide what they prefer or require.
How long does medical assistant training take in Texas?
Many certificate-oriented medical assistant paths take about 9–12 months, though timelines vary by school, schedule, and clinical requirements.
Is medical assisting growing?
Yes. BLS projects 12% national growth for medical assistants from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average.
Sources and salary notes
SOC 31-9092.00. Salary figures are for all workers in the occupation, not entry-level pay. Entry-level salaries typically start lower, and local employer requirements vary. Last updated: 2026-05-14. Next review: 2026-06-14.
- BLS OEWS May 2023 — Medical Assistants — May 2023. State mean wages, employment estimates, and metro wage rows.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Medical Assistants — May 2024. National median pay, employment, growth projection, and openings.